In late 2006, Sara Grant sat down with Sara O’Connor at a pub and shared her brilliant idea to put together an anthology of unpublished children’s fiction and send it out to the decision makers of the publishing industry. Together, the two Saras and Natascha Biebow, SCBWI-BI regional advisor, put together a proposal for the SCBWI to approve the project, as well as a proposal for the sponsor, Working Partners, who were keen to come on board in support of new writers.

Once everything was approved in early 2007, the Saras asked three editors and three agents to come on board and judge the entries, as well as the masterful, award-winning author, David Almond, to be the honorary chair and write the introduction.

From 250 submitted excerpts, at the end of 2007, the judges selected 12 pieces to feature after much lively debate. The book was then designed by the fabulous Becky Chilcott, proofread by the wonderful Wendy Tse, and printed by the stellar team at Clay’s Printers. In February 2008, the printed anthology was sent out to over 100 publishing industry contacts and the book was officially launched during a party at Foyles to much celebration and a little press coverage from Publisher’s Weekly.